We’re proud to introduce our new Sunflower calendars as the latest installment in our Change the World letterpress series! These limited edition 8×10 art print calendars are letterpress printed on our ultra thick 2-ply bamboo paper and are on sale for $10 each, and 100% of profits from the calendars will be donated to the Pesticide Action Network (PAN). The calendars celebrate the nonprofit’s 30th anniversary and proceeds will help PAN in their efforts to replace the use of hazardous pesticides with ecologically sound and socially just alternatives. Happy birthday, PAN!

Want to learn more about PAN and ways you can help their mission? Check out this blog post about our Sunflower cards or visit panna.org.

If you haven’t purchased a box of letterpress Change the World cards yet (or if you’re looking to buy more!), you’re in luck. From now through August 27, get an extra 25% off all sale items when you buy a box of our Change the World cards. Use discount code zaeg6Dub at checkout to take advantage of this offer.

Our Change the World letterpress card series launched earlier this year (100% of profits are donated to critical environmental causes) and we can’t say enough good things about the organizations these cards help. Profits from the first card in the series, Sunflower, are donated to the Pesticide Action Network North America to address Colony Collapse Disorder and help save the honey bees (our food supply is dependent on them!). The cards come with organic sunflower seeds that you can plant to help the bees out!

The profits from the series’ second card, Fracking, helps Earthworks’ Oil & Gas Accountability Project change the gas and oil industry in order to protect the environment and our drinking water. The Fracking cards come with temporary tattoos — you can view photos of people wearing their tattoos (and upload a photo of your own!) on the special Tumblr page we’ve set up at gas-and-water-dont-mix.Tumblr.com.

The fine print: sale ends at 11:59pm on Monday, August 27. Order must contain a minimum of 1 box of Fracking or Sunflower cards to receive the discount. 

We’re thrilled to introduce our new “change the world” letterpress card series, where we’ll donate 100% of profits to a critical environmental issue. The first card in our series is called Sunflower, and will benefit the Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA).

Here’s the problem: Honey bees are in trouble — colonies have been collapsing mysteriously and adult bees are disappearing. The problem started in the mid 2000’s and is known as “Colony Collapse Disorder,” and researchers believe that pesticides, habitat loss, pathogens and immune system damage are factors that may be causing the collapse.

Why you should care: Of the 100 crops that provide 90% of the world’s food supply, over 70 of those crops are pollinated by bees. In the United States alone, the bees’ contribution is valued at over $15 billion, and this vital industry is on the verge of collapse.  One out of every three bites of food are dependent on honey bees for pollination, so government action is critical to help the colonies recover.

Take action now:

• Sign this petition to help protect the bees. By doing so, you will encourage the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to enforce restrictions (such as not spraying while pollinator-dependent crops are in bloom) and to take action against pesticides that are toxic to the honey bees. 
• Get informed: learn more at PANNA.
  
• Start your own bee-friendly garden: Grow plants (like sunflowers!) to help the bees out. Download this handy brochure from PANNA for some bee-friendly gardening tips.
• Make a contribution: help PANNA continue their program work by making a direct contribution, or purchase our sustainably printed Sunflower cards — 100% of profits will be donated to PANNA to help save the honeybees, and organic, locally grown sunflower seeds are included with the cards for you to plant.

Wear Organic is a project from Pesticide Action Network UK aiming to reduce the problems from pesticides used in cotton, particularly by promoting organic and fair alternatives. We regularly partner with PAN North America on collaborative projects and love their mission to spread awareness about the environmental impact of pesticide use in agriculture and food production. Gain more inspiration for wearing sustainable fibers from this Wear Organic interview with Leah Borromeo.

Wondering where to shop for organic clothing? Threads for Thought is one of our favorite places to shop for organic and sustainable apparel. They offer stylish basics and a collection of fashionable clothing, with a portion of sales donated to charitable causes. Also check out Nau. Their incredible selection of outdoor and everyday apparel is stylish, urban-inspired and sure to make your closet happy. Nau also donates 2% of sales to their partners for change, making them a kindred spirit to our own mission here at Smock.

{Photos from (top) Threads for Thought and (bottom) Nau.}

An issue near and near to our hearts, we wanted to spread the word about an incredible effort by PAN North America, one of Smock’s eco partners, to shed light on the devastating effects of pesticides on honeybee colonies and their call for the EPA to take action on this major issue. Why does it matter? Beekeepers face an industry on the verge of collapse, an industry particularly susceptible to the devastating effects of pesticides. With 1/3 of food production reliant on bees for pollination, the collapse of commercial beekeeping would devastate U.S. farmers as well. The time to act is now.

Smock supports PANNA’s admirable environmental efforts through donations via 1% For the Planet, pro bono printing and other partnerships. Just recently we printed a version of our popular Garden letterpress cards for PANNA, which contributors donating $75 or more receive as a special thank you. Wondering how you can get involved, too? Visit PANNA to sign the petition to take a stand with beekeepers and consider giving today. A huge thank you to PANNA for continually inspiring us – bravo!